For Ellie and her little brother, Dan, home was a dangerous place. Their mum’s substance misuse and the presence of strangers made it an unsafe and scary environment.
In desperate need of help, the siblings were referred to DENS by Dacorum Borough Council – where their newly established Community Resettlement service was able to provide valuable support.
Partner agencies and the local authority refer people at risk of losing their homes to this service, so they can receive tailored support to sustain their tenancy. This development is part of DENS’ commitment to preventing homelessness throughout Dacorum.
Despite some challenges, the Community Resettlement Key Worker made it her priority to find a safe and secure new home for Ellie and Dan.
She said, “Dan’s age made this a unique situation for us, as our services usually support adults only. But we worked tirelessly to be there for the siblings when they needed our help the most.”
Initially, Ellie and Dan were placed in a hotel, and then into temporary accommodation.
Their Key Worker supported them by sourcing essential white goods and providing emergency food parcels from the Foodbank, ensuring they had the necessities to start rebuilding their lives.
This support was a huge weight off their shoulders. Before this, Ellie was under extreme stress, trying to keep their lives together by covering household costs, managing her mother’s debts and looking after Dan.
Ellie and Dan have recently been offered a two-bed council house, and they are so excited for what the future holds.
“They feel sadness about their mum, but are thankful for a fresh start that they’ve desperately needed for a long time. It’s an opportunity for them to live a normal, happy life,” said their Key Worker.
Ellie and Dan will be supported throughout their move, so they can settle in, set up their budgets and direct benefits to ensure they effectively manage their rent and bills.
Their Key Worker is also looking to signpost the siblings to therapeutic support to help them process their experiences and learn how to use these insights to make meaningful progress in their lives.
DENS is inspired by Ellie and Dan’s strength and resilience, and confident they will have a bright and hopeful future ahead.
Please note: Ellie and Dan’s names, images and details of their story have been changed to protect their anonymity.
Story published 24th March 2025.